LANCS star Andrew Flintoff says he's relishing the chance to get back to playing cricket as he comes to terms with the life-changing experience of becoming England's most recognisable 2005 Ashes hero.

The all-rounder accepts life will never be quite the same for him again after his starring role in England's unexpected victory over Australia last summer.

After flying in to join his team-mates in Lahore for their second and final tour match before the start of their three-Test series against Pakistan, there was relief as well as regret as he balanced the attraction of returning to action with the sadness of being away from his young family.

"I am pleased to be out here where I can get away from everything and can play cricket again - because that is the one thing I am comfortable doing," he said, having had a break back in England since playing for the World XI in the ICC Super Series in Australia.

"I am comfortable on a cricket pitch, but not necessarily doing a TV show or a photo shoot.

"I am looking forward to playing cricket again; I have had some time at home, where it has been quite hectic with one thing and another, so I am looking forward to getting back to doing what I do best."

Flintoff must accept he is likely to be the centre of attention almost everywhere he goes for the rest of his life.

For him, though, the constant of family life is a huge asset as he continues to have to deal with a level of fame beyond that which has affected most English cricketers in the modern era.

Attention

"The important things have not changed - you have the same family and friends - but it is the attention from the media and the man in the street which has changed," he said.

"In that respect it has been life-changing. But the things that mean the most are still the same."

For those reasons, Flintoff acknowledges the challenges he faces on the sub-Continent this winter will be as significant off the pitch as they are on it.

The 27-year-old's enforced absence from his newly-pregnant wife Rachael and one-year-old daughter Holly will be a taxing experience.

"A lot of the guys have families, and for me saying goodbye two days ago was the hardest thing," he said.

"The cricket is going to be hard, but the homesickness is going to be equally so.

"I have not spent any long time away from Holly since she was born. It's going to be tough - but I am just going to have to get on with it."

Playing cricket will come as a welcome diversion, and Flintoff has already canvassed the expert opinion of his former Lancashire team-mate and great Pakistan pace-bowling all-rounder Wasim Akram as well as giving plenty of thought himself to how he and England can best adapt to the alien conditions they will meet.

"I have been out here three times before and I chatted to Wasim last week," he said. "There are passages of play here where you can take wickets, and you have to identify them quickly.

"There will be other times where you need to sit in - as you do with the bat - and others where you can attack and go for the stumps."